(Undated-jm) – The National Weather Service spent the weekend assessing damage from last week’s severe weather. They found tornado damage northeast of Ludlow, rating it an EF-1. They also rated EF-1 tornadoes Northwest of Paxton to Southeast of Loda, through the north side of Urbana, through Kickapoo State Park in Vermilion County and on the south side of Hoopeston. EF-0 tornadoes were confirmed from southwest of Gibson City to near Elliott and 2 EF-0 tornadoes from Watseka to west of Rensselaer, Indiana. Damage in Chaneyville was from 100 mph rear flank downdraft winds while strong straight line winds caused the rest of the damage around the WPXN listening area. Unfortunately, more severe weather including the risk of damaging winds and tornadoes is in the forecast for Wednesday.
(Champaign County-jm) – A male inmate that had been in custody in Champaign County for nearly a month was found unresponsive Friday morning and later died in the hospital. In a press release, the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 4:45 a.m. on June 13, correctional staff found an inmate unresponsive. Correctional staff and on-site medical staff immediately began performing life-saving efforts. The inmate was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead. While the preliminary investigation shows the inmate likely suffered a medical emergency, the Sheriff has asked the Illinois State Police to oversee the investigation of this incident, as is standard protocol for an in-custody death.
(USDA–dm)-Discovery of new outdoor activities and volunteer efforts are available in recreation areas from our nation's forests to your local park. Rod Bain has the story.
(Champaign-jm) — A 19 year old man is in critical condition after a shooting early Sunday morning in Champaign. Police say the teen who had been shot in the torso arrived at a local hospital just before 2 am. Investigators believe the man was a passenger in a vehicle traveling in the 1600 block of North Mattis Avenue when someone started shooting at the vehicle. Officers located evidence of gunfire in the area.
(Paxton–dm)-If you have bare spots in your yard, Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen tells us one way to repair them.
Paxton Hardware and Rental owner Scott Allen. You can hear more from Scott
Saturday mornings at 730 on Scott’s Tips for success,
(St. Louis–dm)-The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis says the Producer Price Index for final demand rose 1.1% in May, following a similar increase in April. The index representing the wholesale cost of U.S. goods and services had not previously seen an increase of more than 1% since March 2022.
(Springfield–dm)-Saturday was the one-year anniversary of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s sentencing on public corruption charges. On June 13, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge John Robert Blakey sentenced Madigan to 7.5 years in federal prison and ordered him to pay a fine of $2.5 million. Madigan, 84, reported to a federal prison camp in Morgantown, West Virginia on Oct. 13, 2025. According to the Bureau of Prisons, the former speaker’s scheduled release date is Dec. 4, 2031.
(Urbana-jm) – Four people including two children were taken to the hospital following a fire in Urbana Saturday afternoon. The fire happened just before 12:30 Saturday afternoon. Two adults and two children were outside the home suffering from burns. They were taken to the hospital. The state fire marshal and Champaign County Sheriff’s office are investigating.
(Paxton–jc) The annual city of Paxton Swine and Dine is set for Saturday September 19th in downtown Paxton. City of Paxton leaders are making a donation of 15 thousand dollars to help support the growing cooking competition and music festival says Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold…
Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold
(Urbana-jm) – A former University of Illinois police officer was sentenced to over two decades in prison following his conviction on sexual assault charges. Jerald Sandage was sentenced to 25 years in prison after he was found guilty on two counts of criminal sexual assault. Sandage has three other court cases related to sexual assault still pending.
(Undated-jm) – No Kings Rallies were held across the state including some locally on Sunday. The rallies were held in connection to President Donald Trump’s 80th birthday. Locally in Paxton about 20 people participated in the downtown peaceful march and protest event.
(Cissna Park–dm)-The Cissna Park Development Board has been hosting townhall meetings to discuss the creation of a Park District in the city of Cissna Park. Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachael Bauer talks about what information they get from the participants.
Cissna Park Development Board Spokesperson Rachel Bauer
(Mahomet-jm) – A new solar project is being proposed in Mahomet. The project, by a Chicago based company, is being proposed off I-74 near Karadan Drive and Ranch Lane. It would take up to 14 acres and power about 600 homes each year. The company hopes to start construction this fall.
(Vermilion County-jm) – A Vermilion County man will spend the next 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to the sexual assault of a minor in 2023. Jeremy Lowenstein pleaded guilty to predatory criminal sexual assault. He must serve at least 85 percent of the 12 years and will serve a minimum of three years supervised release.
(Illinois–dm)-June 15th is Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Dept. of aging encourages everyone to learn the warning signs and report abuse. WPXN's Dan Mushrush has the story
CHICAGO – Friday, Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity along with the Illinois Retail Merchants Association announced $24 point 7 million dollars in funding for 434 companies through the Illinois Pharmacy Support Program. The effort is to strengthen access to pharmacy services across Illinois. The program was designed to assist pharmacies around the state most at risk of closure or financial strain, particularly those serving in rural areas, low-income communities, or populations with limited access to health care.
Every eligible pharmacy that applied received the same amount of $56,892 to ensure support for pharmacies that serve as essential health care access points in their communities.
CHICAGO — Friday, Governor JB Pritzker signed SB 3222 – landmark hemp legislation that strengthens social equity and medical access, reduces regulatory burdens, strengthens oversight, and improves public safety. SB 3222 is key to ensuring that the state’s cannabis sector remains safe for consumers and that Illinois continues to set a national example with its diversity and equity efforts in the cannabis industry. The bill immediately bans the sale of intoxicating hemp products to people under the age of 21,
WPXN News notes…
The 100th annual Ford County Fair continues today through Saturday at the fairgrounds in Melvin. Tonight, its the Queen Pageant at 7. On the 16th its Family night, children's tractor pull and talent show at 7. On the 17th and 18th its the Illiana truck and tractor pulls at 6:30. On the 19th its Journey Tribute Band Resurrection at 7:30. On the 20th its the Demolition Derby at 6:30pm.
Ford County ROSC and the Ford/Iroquois Farm Bureau will host a free rural mental health training on Tuesday, June 16th from 4-6 pm at the Kruse Center in Gibson City.
The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Gibson Area Hospital on Thursday, June 18th from 11:30-5:30.
Rantoul will hold their summer nights concert series on Friday, June 19th with New Souls performing in downtown from 6-9pm.
WPXN News notes…
The 2026 Buckley Fun Day will take place on Saturday, June 20th withThe Buckley Fire Department will holding a pancake and sausage breakfast 6-10 am at the Buckley Fire Station. The ladies aid bake sale and sportsmans club fishing derby start at 9 am, tractor show from 10-2, golfing into the lake and kids inflatables from 11-2, CLHS food stand at 11 am, 4-H coloring contest 11-noon, tractor parade at noon, bingo from 1-2, kids tractor pull at 2 and the Lions Club Duck Race at 3:17pm.
The 2026 Fisher Blues, Brews and BBQ festival will take place on Saturday, June 20th from 11am-10pm.
